Top 20 Castles around Herve

The Commanderie is a textbook example of the Maasland Renaissance style, recognizable by: brick construction combined with Namur stone; straight, symmetrical volumes; decorative tiers of brick; a closed, almost monastic courtyard.

Beautiful historic location, worth a stop.

Commanderie Castle is one of the most historically significant buildings in the region. Its origins date back to the Middle Ages: as early as the 13th century, a settlement of the Teutonic Knights existed here, from which the name "Commanderie" is derived. The castle was not only a stately residence but also an administrative and economic center for the surrounding lands. The complex is surrounded by a moat and has been rebuilt and expanded several times over the centuries. A characteristic feature is the combination of medieval foundations with later Renaissance and Baroque elements. Particularly striking are the picturesque courtyard, the historic farm buildings, and the castle grounds surrounded by avenues and meadows. After the end of the Order's rule, the property passed into private hands and was used for agricultural purposes for a time. Today, Commanderie Castle is privately owned but parts of it are used for cultural and tourist activities. The castle represents the eventful history of the border region between Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany and reflects the influence of religious orders of knights on the cultural landscape of this region.

Beusdael Castle is a medieval castle located in the village of Sippenaeken, just across the Belgian border from the Dutch province of Limburg. The castle dates back to the 13th century and features a characteristic round keep (defense tower). It has been renovated several times over the centuries, but still retains much of its historic charm. The castle is privately owned and not open to the public.

The castle's origins date back to the 11th century. It was first documented in 1155, but the first buildings probably date back to the time of Bishops Henry of Verdun (1075–1091) and Otbert (1091–1119). As one of twelve residences of the Prince-Bishop of Liège, it served to defend the eastern border of the principality.

Franchimont: a former fortress of the Bishop of Liège in the north of the Belgian Ardennes. The castle of Franchimont (province of Liège, municipality of Theux) was one of twelve residences and fortresses of the Principality of Liège. The fortress was first mentioned in writing in 1155, but the first buildings were probably built during the time of the bishops Henry of Verdun (1075-1091) and Otbert (1091-1119). During the feudal period, both bishops vigorously defended the principality. Nestled in the middle of "non-Liège" territories (Duchy of Limburg and Luxembourg, as well as the Principality of Stavelot), the country thus had not only a defense system, but also an administrative and judicial center where the representative of the Prince-Bishop resided. The castle defended a mark, a kind of border

The ruins of Franchimont Castle (French: Château de Franchimont) stand on a rocky outcrop in the Ardennes in the municipality of Theux, about eight kilometers from Spa. Franchimont is the name of a former fortress and, until the Liège Revolution, a margraviate in the diocese of Liège. The castle complex originated from a building from the 11th to 12th centuries, which was supplemented by a large protective wall at the beginning of the 16th century. The first written mention dates back to 1156, from the time of Bishop Henry II of Liège. The castle was demilitarized around 1650, as the artillery technology that had been developed in the meantime meant that it was vulnerable to attack from the neighboring hills. After that, it was mostly used as a prison, but also as a summer residence for nobles. In 1676, Louis XIV ordered its destruction, but it was only partially carried out. In the following century, the castle was visited by several crowned heads because of its peculiarities. Since 1967, it has belonged to a non-profit foundation that carries out restoration and maintenance work and carries out excavations in the area surrounding the castle. Today, Franchimont is a tourist destination, with a railway station on the Verviers-Spa-Géronstère railway line.

Today's ruins can be divided into three concentric surrounding walls. The first enclosing wall is the actual castle, the one with most of the medieval parts that have survived the numerous renovations, especially in the 16th century. Not much remains of the second surrounding wall today. This surrounded the western and northern extent of the fortress and thus the entrances. The most impressive remnant of the second surrounding wall is the eastern reinforcement - also artillery shield wall - of the more than 20 meter high keep. This is the typical example of a passive fortress of the late Middle Ages (around 1387) - a reaction to the advance of artillery. The third pentagonal enclosure wall forms a bastion with a west-facing peak. It can be traced back to the time of Erard de la Marck. With its casemates and bulwark (or cannon tower) at the entrance, it is a typical example of the construction inventions of civil engineers at the beginning of the 16th century. Source: http://chateau-franchimont.be/de/geschichte/